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R, E. WHITACRIL HARNESS ATTACHMENT.

(No Model.)

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By. m

TTHNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD ELSON IVHITACRE, OF OSKALOOSA, IOIVA, ASSIGNOR OF TIVO- THIRDS TO SCOTT H. HULL AND FRANK. R. FITCH, OF SAME PLACE.

HARNESS ATTACHIVI ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 555,630, dated March 3, 1896.

Application led .Tuly 6,1895. Serial No. 555,136. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD ELsoN VVHIT- ACRE, of Oskaloosa, in the county of Mahaska and State of Iowa, have invented an Improved Harness Attachment, of which the following `is a speciication.

A further object is to provide an attach-v ment for supporting and connecting the shafts With the harness proper in such a manner that the motion of the horse will be taken up and not communicated to the shafts.

Vith these objects in View my invention consists broadly in providing a lateral eXtension upon the harness-saddle, to which the shaft is connected at the outer side, said eX- tension being pivoted or swiveled so that the back-band or saddle can have a limited movement upon the pivot Without communicating said motion to the shaft or thills.

My invention consists also in certain details of construction and novelties of combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved device, showing the manner of connecting the thills to the harness. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the portions detached.

In carrying out my invention I employ a strap or body portion A, which may be one of the iiaps of the harness-saddle, or it may be a separate piece attached to said saddle by means of a strap and buckle, as shown. Secured to the said strap or body portion A is an outwardly-projecting post or pivot B, upon which is mounted a lateral extension C, which latter is preferably composed of leather and constructed of a series of lifts or taps c, said extension being pivotally secured upon the post or pivot B by means of a screw D, which passes through a washer-plate F., secured between the lifts near the outer end of said extension, said screw engaging the threaded end of the post or pivot B. Abearing-plate F of metal is interposed between the rear face of the extension C and the strap or body portion A. The shaft or thill G is adapted to be secured to said extension C upon the outer end of the same by means of 6o a strap H, and in practice I prefer to have said thill rest upon a padded cushion I for the purpose of preventing transmission of any jar or sudden movement of the horse and to prevent chaiing of the thill.

The extension C may be constructed in a number of different ways, and may be pivoted to the portion A or made rigid therewith without departing from the spirit of my invention, the object being to hold the shaft or 7o thill away from the side of the horse as far as desirable, but in practice I prefer to pivot this extension as above described, in order to take up the motion and prevent it being communicated to the shafts or thills. The attaching-strap H can also be connected to the extension in any suitable manner, but for the purpose of convenience and economy I prefer to construct said strap integral with the inner lift of the extension, and projecting 8o from the opposite side of said lift is a second strap portion, H', carrying the loop h.

Integral with the front or outer lift are the guide-loops' K K', through which the strap H passes in attaching the thill, and the cushion 8 5 or pad I has a loop 'i attached thereto through which said strap passes prior to being passed through the guide-loop K. The second or third lifts are preferably constructed with ears L, in which is fastened the buckle M, by 9o means of which the attaching-strap H is fastened about the thill or strap Gr, the free end of said strap passing through the loop 71, before referred to.

By means of the constructions just recited a very strong, durable, and economical attachment is provided, and one which can be quickly and easily attached to harness now in use.

The thill can be tightly secured to the eX- Ioo tension by means of the strap, as before described, but in order to prevent said thill slipping Within the same I prefer to construct said thill with a guide-loop N, through Which the strap H passes after passing through the loop on the pad and before passing through the guide-loop K. By means of this construction it is impossible for the shaft to slip longitudinally from the end of the extension.

It will thus be seen that I provide an improved means for connecting the shaft or thills with the harness, and one by means of which said shafts or thills are held away from the side of the horse, and also one in which the motion of the horse is taken up and not transmitted to the thills, thereby preventing any Wabbling or lateral movement of the sulky or other vehicle.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a harness attachment, the combination, of a strap, a post connected therewith, a lateral extension pivotally mounted upon said post, and the straps attached to the said lateral extension, adapted to hold the shaft to the outer end thereof, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a harness attachment, the combination with the strap of the post rigidly attached thereto, the lateral extension pivotally mounted upon said post, the pad or cushion attached to the outer end of said lateral extension, and the straps for binding or holding the shaft or thill against said pad or cushion, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a harnessattachmcnt, the combination, With a strap or body portion A, of the lateral extension C, the shaft or thill having a guide-loop upon its outer side, and the strap connected to the lateral extension, and adapted to pass through said guide-loop, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a harness attachment, the combination, with the portion A, of the lateral extension C, having a cushion or pad at its outer end, and the strap II connected to said extension, for the purpose of securing the thill thereto, upon the pad or cushion, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination, with the portion A, of the extension C, attached thereto, having the strap, and guide-loops formed upon said eX- tension, said strap being adapted to secure the shaft or thill to the outer end of said extension7 substantially as shown and described.

(3. In a harness attachment, the combination, with the portion A, of the lateral eXtension C, pivotally connected to said portion A, the strap II and the guide-loops K K formed upon said extension C, the cushion or pad attached to the outer end of said extension, and also having a guide-loop, and the shaft or tl lill having a guide-loop, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 65 in the presence of two Witnesses.

RICHARD ELSON XVIII'IACRE. Vitnesses:

JOHN F. LACEY, HARRY HAYES. 

